To the members of the Cato Town Board: I was truly disappointed in your action at your Oct. 6 meeting.

To read that you had voted to contract with the Meridian Fire Department this year was appalling. Especially since newspapers had reported the vote would be taken in November.

Not only did you contract with Meridian Fire Department, but you did so at a cost of $1.25 per thousand assessed valuation to those of us who live in the portion of the Town of Cato covered by Meridian, when to contract with Cato Fire Department would have cost us only $1.09, the same as the towns of Ira, Victory and Cato. And now that you have made your momentous decision, the Cato Fire Department's rate will revert back to $1.30. You certainly didn't show any concern for the taxpayers who elected you to office.

Since not one of you resides in the part of the township Meridian Fire Department will now be covering, the vote is quite obvious. You'll never have to worry about a fire truck pulling into one of your yards to put out a fire with a tanker filled with frozen water, or even worse, an empty tanker! And before you gasp in horror, let me assure you Meridian Fire Department has done both.

To my mind, you really did those of us who do live in this area a great injustice.

Shirley Dennison

Cato